~Peaceful Memorial Blessings~

The story of Memorial Day begins in the summer of 1865, when a prominent local druggist, Henry C. Welles, mentioned to some of his friends at a social gathering that while praising the living veterans of the Civil War it would be well to remember the patriotic dead by placing flowers on their graves. Nothing resulted from this suggestion until he advanced the idea again the following spring to General John B. Murray. Murray, a civil war hero and intensely patriotic, supported the idea whole heartedly and marshalled veterans' support. Plans were developed for a more complete celebration by a local citizens' committee headed by Welles and Murray.

On May 5, 1866, the Village was decorated with flags at half mast, draped with evergreens and mourning black. Veterans, civic societies and residents, led by General Murray, marched to the strains of martial music to the three village cemeteries. There impressive ceremonies were held and soldiers' graves decorated. One year later, on May 5, 1867, the ceremonies were repeated. In 1868, Waterloo joined with other communities in holding their observance on May 30 t h, in accordance with General Logan's orders. It has been held annually ever since.

Waterloo held the first formal, village wide, annual observance of a day dedicated to honoring the war dead. On March 7, 1966, the State of New York recognized Waterloo by a proclamation signed by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller. This was followed by recognition from Congress of the United States when the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 587 on May 17th and May 19th, 1966 respectively. This reads in part as follows: "Resolved that the Congress of the United States, in recognition of the patriotic tradition set in motion one hundred years ago in the Village of Waterloo, NY, does hereby officially recognize Waterloo, New York as the birthplace of Memorial Day..."

On May 26, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson, signed a Presidential Proclamation recognizing Waterloo as the Birthplace of Memorial Day

A Memorial Day Prayer

By Rev. Dick Kozelka (ret)First Congregational Church of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN.

Eternal God,Creator of years, of centuries, Lord of whatever is beyond time,

Maker of all species and master of all history --How shall we speak to you from our smallness and in consequence? Except that you have called us to worship you in spirit and in truth; You have dignified us with loves and loyalties; You have lifted us up with your loving kindnesses. Therefore we are bold to come before you without groveling [though we sometimes feel that low]and without fear [though we are often anxious]. We sing with spirit and pray with courage because you have dignified us; You have redeemed us from the aimlessness of things' going meaninglessly well. God, lift the hearts of those for whom this holiday is not just diversion,but painful memory and continued deprivation. Bless those whose dear ones have died needlessly, wastefully [as it seems] in accident or misadventure.We remember with compassion those who have died serving their countries in the futility of combat. There is none of us but must come to bereavement and separation, when all the answers we are offered fail the question death asks of each of us. We believe that you will provide for us as others have been provided with the fulfillment of "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

My prayers and blessings go out to all who have lost a loved one. I have lost many myself and I want to let them know that I am thinking of them as I often do. I have listed below very special people that I miss.

Terry-my Father

Great Grandmother Phoebe

Grandma Ann

Grandpa Carl

My Uncle Tony

A very special Family Friend Louie

My friend Freda

And to my babies that were not ready to be born. I know God is taking good care of you.

And to my relatives that past on before I was born I wish I could of met you and you could of shared your stories with me.

May you all rest in Peace

As Always,

~Peaceful Blessings to You and to Yours~

Tammy

~Happy Mother's Day~

The Rose by Bette Midler

Some say love, it is a river

that drowns the tender reed.

Some say love, it is a razor

that leaves your soul to bleed.

Some say love, it is a hunger,an endless aching need.

I say love, it is a flower,and you it's only seed.

It's the heart afraid of breaking

that never learns to dance.

It's the dream afraid of waking

that never takes the chance.

It's the one who won't be taken,who can

not seem to give,

and the soul afraid of dyin'

that never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely

and the road has been to long,

and you think that love is only

for the lucky and the strong,

just remember in the winter

far beneath the winter snows

lies the seed that with the sun's love

in the spring becomes the rose.

This song is one of mom's favorites songs and I wanted to wish her a very

Happy Mother's Day, So Happy Mother's Day Mom. I hope your day is a special one.

And to all you women out there who have loved and cared for someone;

Happy Mother's Day to you. If you do not receive a card, candy or flowers then go out and treat yourself to that special bouquet of flowers. They will put a smile on your heart.

As Always~Peaceful Blessings to You and to Yours~

Tammy

~A New Day is Born~

Sometimes it seems like every day just kind of rolls into the next and I may even forget the date but every day is anew. Every day is never the same it is always different and one can ever repeat it.

Imagine the most serene place that you would want to be. That place of pure serenity with peacefulness and being surrounded by the beauty of nature. I love nature and all the wonders that go along with it. My place would be a tucked away little cabin with the view of the mountains with their snow capped tops. A lake would be my front yard and it would reflect like a sheet of glass. No television, no radio just the whispers of nature as I sit on the front step.

I hope you enjoy the reading of this poem. Now this is pure Serenity.

Day Birth

By Jeff Norberg

A crystalline lake, its surface like glass, shines with the reflection of the moon.

Flowers begin blooming and birds begin chirping over a meadow fresh with morning dew.

Peace reigns over the valley as morning slowly awakes.The only sound is a breeze’s whisper as it makes the trees gently shake.

In the middle of the stillness, a lone cabin sits, awaiting the coming of the sun,

When the life inside it will begin to stir and acknowledge that the new day has begun.

Across the hills the sun peeks through, chasing the darkness out of sight.

Light will reign and brighten the earth, then again be replaced by night.

The peaceful sounds of nature, which have been singing their continuous song,

Are joined in a chorus of harmony, by those creatures just awakening and wishing to sing along.

As we pass through the millennium and the future rushes on,We must not forget the simple pleasures of nature’s simple song.

It is a melody that because of our lives can rush right past our ear,

But is as beautiful as any symphony once we just stop and hear.

The tides of this world will always keep changing in our vast technological sea,

But the beauty of nature’s chorus, is a constant harmony that forever and always will be.

~As Always, Peaceful Blessings to You and to Yours~

Tammy

~Happy May Day~

Happy May Day!!!!

They say April showers bring May flowers I have picked one of these just for you! Well not the one with the bumble bee in it that is.

These are some flowers that we visited last summer and they are so vibrant with colors just makes you want to have your floral garden growing all the sooner.

Remember back in "The Good Old Days" when you would create a basked out of construction paper, a dixie cup or little milk carton? Oh, I know as a child I was so excited to make them and fill them with candies of all kinds. Then early in the morning put them in your friend's door, ring the bell or knock and run like crazy giggling all the way. ~smile~

Oh, those memories just makes you want to be a kid again! I hope you got to create a May Day with your child or did it yourself and gave someone special a May Day treat. No time to create, then just give them a flower. No money then a hug will do nicely and tell them ~Happy May Day~

May Day History

Like many festivals and holidays, May Day began as an ancient pagan festival held to celebrate the return of warmth to the earth and the beginning of the growing season. The Druids of the British Isles called the celebration Beltane. Flickering flames rose toward the sky as a symbol of the sun. Farmers walked their cattle through the fires to purify the animals and bring good fortune to the coming year.The Romans brought with them their spring celebration of Floralia, a festival honoring flowers. As years passed, both Beltane and Floralia combined to create the merry festival of May Day.

The Humours of May Day
What Frolicks are here
So droll and so queer
How joyful appeareth the day
E'en Bunter and Bawd
Unite to applaud
And celebrate first of the May
-1770 (Anon.)

May you have a very happy May Day

~As Always Peaceful Blessings to You and to Yours~

Tammy